Page 2 of The Tenth Muse

I’d never be able to resist her, would I?

Fuck.Fuck.Was I actually considering this? Her touch sent waves of need through me, but it was followed by a deep ache.

“This is messy,” I whispered. “There’s too much here. Too much hurt. Why are you back? Why are you here?”

“Why areyouhere?” She turned the question back on me. “You told me you’d never move to this place. Your dad lived here, your mom was in Chicago. Last I heard, you were in Chicago?—”

“I left,” I said blankly. “I came down here and took over my dad’s cafe.”

“What? Is he okay?—”

I yanked my arm from her grip. “You don’t get to ask those questions. Especially not here, not now. What? Do you want to fuck? Is that it, Jenna? Do you miss the way I’d put you on your knees?”

“I miss calling you Daddy,” she admitted. Her confession shocked me. “I miss worshiping your body. I miss submitting to you. No one else does it like you do.”

I took a step back from her and drew in a sharp breath.

This was messy. This was the exact kind of situation that would fuck me up all over again.

And yet.

I met her gaze and pressed my lips together. Was I really going to do this?

It was such a bad idea.

Fuck it.“Go say your goodbyes for the night, let them know I’m driving you home, and come back out to my car. Yes?”

Jenna’s face lit up. “Are you sure?”

“Did I sound unsure?”

“No … I’ll be right back.”

My gaze fell to her ass as she spun around and headed back for the house. I shook my head. The short leather skirt was my kryptonite.

“I should get in the car and leave,” I said to myself.

This was stupid. God, this was so stupid. But Iwantedher. All the hurt and anger and waves of sadness were eclipsed by a few rays of hope.

I imagined getting into my Jeep and driving off—but then the front door swung open and Jenna flew out with her bag in hand and her expression one of determination.

Hopeless romantic.My favorite sweatshirt had that plastered on the front, and it was a little too on the nose.

I unlocked my Jeep and slid into the front seat. I had a spare moment to steady myself before the passenger door opened and Jenna got in.

“Hey,” she said softly. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

The silence was deafening. I released a soft breath and then cranked the engine on. “One night with you, no strings attached?”

“Yes.” Her voice wavered. “One night, no strings attached.”

“And we don’t bring up the past.”

“We don’t bring up the past.”

“Then yes,” I said. “I’m sure I want to do this.”

“My place or yours?”

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